Palace says public will be informed about result of Duterte’s medical checkup

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chats with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as they prepare for the Ceremonies of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito while at a hotel in Tokyo, Japan on October 22, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Malacañang vowed that it will disclose the result of President Rodrigo Duterte’s medical consultation on Wednesday, October 23.

The President arrived in the country on Tuesday night, cutting short his trip to Japan due to “unbearable pain in his spinal column near the pelvic bone” after he got into a motorcycle accident on Malacañang grounds last week. The Palace earlier said the accident resulted in a minor injury, with Duterte acquiring light bruises and slight scratches to his elbow and knee.

“His consultation with a doctor is aimed at determining the medical condition of his body, as well as finding out whether his previous spinal injury from a past motorcycle accident has been aggravated by his recent fall,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Wednesday.

“The President shall inform our countrymen on the result of his medical consultation,” he added.

Shortly after he arrived in Manila, Duterte headed straight to Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City to pay his last respects former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr.

ATM: @PDPLABAN Chairman President Duterte paying his last respects to his beloved partymate & friend Sen. Nene Pimentel.#tatayNene pic.twitter.com/niP3mcJfcd

— Ron Munsayac (@RonMunsayac) October 22, 2019

“Notwithstanding his trip to Japan being cut short due to a searing pain in the spinal pelvic area of his body, the President was able to endure the same and headed from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to the wake of former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr.,” Panelo said.

The spokesman said Duterte considered Pimentel as a “friend” who contributed “valuable service to the country as a public servant.”

Pimentel was the founder of PDP-Laban, whose current president is his son, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, while Duterte is the chairman.

The fact that Duterte managed to visit the elder Pimentel’s wake, the Palace maintained that the public does not have to be “apprehensive” about the Chief Executive’s health.

Duterte recently admitted that he has a myasthenia gravis, which he described as “nerve malfunction.”

On Friday, the Palace explained that the white rectangular gadget, which the President has been seen wearing around his neck, was actually a portable air purifier to protect him against coughs and colds.

[READ: Duterte wears ‘air purifier’ as protection from coughs, colds — Palace]